Premier-designate Kathleen Wynne is urging Auditor General Jim McCarter to expand his probe of the Liberals’ gas plant cancellation controversy.

In a move reminiscent of former prime minister Paul Martin’s 2004 decision to strike the Gomery commission into the federal Liberals’ sponsorship scandal that happened on Jean Chrétien’s watch, Wynne has asked McCarter to broaden his report, expected early this spring.

The provincial watchdog was already examining the decision during the 2011 election campaign to scrap a Mississauga gas-fired plant, which helped save four Liberal MPPs’ seats.

“As I prepare for the swearing-in of my cabinet and the next session of the legislature, I wanted to take this opportunity to advise you of my intention to work with the opposition to take appropriate steps to request that your office conduct a review of the cancelled Oakville gas plant,” Wynne wrote McCarter on Thursday.

“It is my hope the report can be completed in a timely manner. I am confident that the work of your office on these transactions will provide valuable insight to both the legislative assembly and the residents of Ontario.”

McCarter told the Star he was taking the premier-designate’s request “seriously.”

“I can’t say I am overly surprised,” he said, noting that the standing committee on public accounts had asked him to look into the Mississauga affair.

“We’re still wrapping up the Mississauga report and will release in late March or early April,” he said, emphasizing that including Oakville in his investigation would “not significantly” delay things.

McCarter retires April 30 and said he wants his desk cleared by that date.

“Let’s face it, the auditor general does not have the capacity to get at some of the very important information that we need,” said Horwath, who has been calling for a full public inquiry into the debacle.

“Who was making the decisions to cancel the gas plant? Where did the directive come from? Who made the decision to try to cover it up and withdraw documents from public scrutiny?” she asked.

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